World Cup watch parties an emotional roller coaster for USA fans

Not every USA soccer fan could make it down to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup — but they more than made up for it at watch parties all over Tallahassee.
Nicole Tschetter

Nicole Tschetter, Tallahassee Democrat 7:25 a.m. EDT June 23, 2014

Matlida Parker, center, and Scott Chandler cheer <137>get busy <137>for the <137>their beloved <137>USA team on Sunday at Parlay Sports Bar and Grill, where <137>Rabid soccer <137>fans watched the USA vs. Portugal match end in a tie with seconds to go. <137>match at the Parlay Sports Bar and Grill, where on Sunday June 22, 2014. Some wore American flags, Red, White and Blue regalia and "Beat Portugal" signs. The American Outlaws (Tallahassee's main soccer fan group) were in attendance. at Parlay. The USA team tied the score late in the second half, eventually took a lead only to see Portugal tie it with just seconds to go in the match at 2-2. <137>(Photo: Mike Ewen/Democrat)

Not every USA soccer fan could make it down to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup — but they more than made up for it at watch parties all over Tallahassee.

The patio 6 p.m. kick-off for the U.S. versus Portugal game. American Flags and a banner that read "United We Stand" was the perfect backdrop to the standing room only crowd of 75 out on the patio.

The "I believe" chant echoed off the walls along with sips and clanks of beers throughout the game. At the nucleus of the crowd was the American Outlaws Tallahassee chapter. The AO's are national team supporters for the United States Men's and Women's national soccer teams.

"I'm so disappointed that I can't be there in Brazil," said Joe Davis, a sales rep with Sharp and Modular Document Solutions and AO official chant leader. "But we're doing a really cool thing here in Tallahassee. It's not just fandom, it's a chance to grow the game."

The AO's have been spreading the soccer spirit since 2007. This year's World Cup games were no exception. They've had watch parties at Parlay for all this year's World Cup games.

"The feel of these watch parties is electric," said Kris Kelly, an FSU graduate student. "A year ago we couldn't get 10 people out to a game and now this bar is packed, we ran out of beer the last time we were here. This is truly exciting."

The World Cup, is an international competition between senior men's national teams. All of the teams are part of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)— which is the sports governing body. The tournament happens every four years, this year in Brazil.

The format of the tournament has 32 teams that compete in two stages: a group stage and a knockout stage. Currently the World Cup is in the group stage — teams compete within eight groups of four teams each.

"It's been a roller coaster from the qualifying game, to the Ghana game where we beat them," said Scott Chandler, an HP business analyst and AO member. "It's definitely had its highs and lows, but it's exciting nevertheless."

USA beat out Ghana 2 to 1 in a nail-biter last Monday. The electricity of that game carried over to Sunday's match against Portugal for fans. Even though the game ended in a 2-2 tie, Davis said the U.S.A team has a zest Portugal doesn't.

"The thing that Portugal doesn't have is a real togetherness," said Davis. "They don't have that American spirit that we pride ourselves on. This game is one of those moments that can put soccer on the map."

USA will play Germany on Thursday at noon. And despite the midday game, fans will still be cheering them on.

"I'm going to be watching the game for sure,"said Kelly. "I wouldn't miss it for anything."